Mineral Nutrient Status Research Articles

Influence of shade on mineral nutrient status of field‐grown cotton

Photosynthetic irradiance has variable effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth, development, lint yield and fiber quality. However, little is known about the effect of shade on the mineral nutrient status of cotton plants. A two‐year study was conducted to determine the effects of shade (63% light reduction) at different growth stages on mineral nutrient concentrations in plant components of field‐grown cotton. Averaged over the three growth stages of first flower, peak flower, and boll development, an 8‐day period of shade increased petiole NO3‐N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) concentrations by 145, 17, 20, and 18%, respectively. Total nitrogen (N), P, K, S, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the leaf blades of the sampled petioles increased 19, 29, 22, 22, 13, and 16%, respectively, compared with those of unshaded control plants. However, bracts and floral buds of 20‐day‐old squares of shaded cotton plants showed a slight decrease (6%) in total N concentration, and increases in the other mineral nutrient concentrations. The increased mineral nutrients of shaded plants were closely associated with decreased carbohydrate accumulation. Shade during plant reproductive growth significantly affected nutrient status and TNC/N ratio of cotton. This study indicated that light intensity at the time of sampling can cause non‐representative nutrient analysis and erroneous diagnostic recommendations. Therefore, the time of day and light conditions must be considered when sampling cotton petioles and other tissues for nutrient diagnoses.

Evidence for a nutritional disorder of Oxalis acetosella L. on acid forest soils. I. Control situation and effects of dolomitic liming and acid irrigation

This paper reports on the mean cover, biometric and vitality parameters and mineral nutrient status of wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella L.) on the control and experimental plots of a mature Norway spruce stand on acid soil (Hoglwald Experiment).

Amelioration of Sulphur Dioxide Phytotoxicity in Wheat Cultivars by Modifying NPK Nutrients

Field experiments were conducted to examine the responses of two cultivars of wheat (Malviya 206 and Malviya 234) to sulphur dioxide when grown at six different nutrient levels. Thirty-day-old plants were exposed to 0·15 ppm SO2for 4 hours per day, 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Total plant length was reduced significantly in SO2treated plants, except those grown using recommended and twice the recommended fertilizer applications. Leaf area, however, was significantly reduced in SO2treated plants. Total plant biomass and yield also decreased in plants exposed to SO2. Root:shoot ratio and leaf:weight ratio altered in plants grown at different nutrient levels and with different SO2treatments. Total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, starch and protein contents were reduced by SO2exposure whereas total soluble sugar and reducing sugar levels were increased. The level of changes in different parameters due to SO2exposure varied with different nutrient levels and cultivars of wheat. Soil mineral nutrient status has been found to modify the response of wheat plants. Yield data have suggested that Malviya 234 is more responsive to nutrient status and showed lower reductions due to SO2exposure.

Effects of elevated CO 2 on gas exchange characteristics of alpine grassland

The ecosystem-level gas exchange characteristics of an alpine grassland treated with a combination of elevated CO 2 and moderate additions of NPK fertilizer during the third season of experimental treatments are described. Mid-season maximum daytime net ecosystem CO 2 flux (NEC max) increased significantly under elevated CO 2 (+45%), whereas nighttime NEC was unaffected by the CO 2 treatment. Since daytimke NEC under elevated CO 2 underwent a seasonal decline, only moderate carbon surpluses accumulated under elevated CO 2. The observed seasonal decline in daytime NEC may be due to reduced sink strength once maximum aboveground biomass is attained and appears to be a regulatory mechanism of ecosystem carbon accumulation. Moderate additions of NPK fertilizer stimulated both day-(+39%) and nighttime NEC (+29%) due to increased plant biomass, independent of CO 2 treatment. Yet there is no indication that enhanced mineral nutrient status will increase ecosystem responsiveness to elevated CO 2.

Methane dosage to soil and its effect on plant growth

Two protocols for following soil methane enrichment were used, one with methane dosed as a carbon source ([C]-soil) and one with methane plus minerals ([C+M]-soil). Methane oxidation occurred much faster in soil receiving minerals in addition to methane than in the control soil receiving only methane. In both treatments, only a small fraction of methane (2% to 14%) was converted into microbial biomass C. Nevertheless, a strong increase in soil microbial biomass (up to 1.5 to 2.0-fold) was achieved in the [C+M]-soil in a 3-week period. Due to methane application, the NO3 (-) content of the soil was significantly decreased, by 83% to 90% in the [C]-soil and by 56% to 83% in the [C+M]-soil. Soil enzymatic activities were slightly increased in the [C+M]-soil only. The soil-methane incubation did not alter the composition of the monitored microbial populations in the soil or in rhizosphere of plants. In the [C]-soil, methane incubation resulted in reduction of the shoot dry wt of maize by 8% to 12%. In the [C+M]-soil under non-limiting mineral-nutrient status, a significant increase in shoot dry wt was observed for maize (13%), a neutral effect was registered for spinach and a negative effect was observed for wheat.

Mineral nutrient status of coastal hill dipterocarp forest and adinandra belukar in Singapore: analysis of soil, leaves and litter

ABSTRACTThe soil of remnant primary rainforest on granite in Singapore is very acidic (pH mostly 3.5–4.2 at 0–10 cm) and has unusually low total concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, but the mean concentrations of N and P in the living leaves and freshly fallen leaves of the more shade-tolerant species are within the ranges found for other lowland forests on infertile oxisols and ultisols. The concentration of Ca in freshly fallen leaves is very low. The soil under secondary forest (bselukar) on sandstone dominated by Adinandra dumosa (Theaceae) was degraded during use for agriculture. It has the same pH range but even lower values of total N and P. The mean concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the living leaves are slightly higher than in leaves of the more shade-tolerant trees of primary forest, but lower than in the leaves of the species which require canopy gaps for establishment or early onward growth. The few species sampled in both primary forest and belukar show no consistent trend in foliar concentrations. The degraded soil has selected species with inherently lower foliar concentrations.

Plant sampling: a review

The steps involved in collecting and handling samples for plant analysis are described under the following headings: purpose for which the sample is collected; sampling statistics; sampling strategies; choice of tissue; sample handling; special sampling techniques. In any application of plant tissue analysis close attention should be given to the approaches which are used to develop the critical values or ranges that are used. In diagnostic and prognostic use of plant analysis the statistics of the sampling procedure should be well understood, so that a sample which properly represents the crop or planting can be collected. When diagnosis is the primary objective the sampling unit may be as small as a single plant. It is important that contamination of the sample with nutrient sprays or other materials is understood and recorded. Washing may not be possible, particularly when samples are collected by unskilled people at a site distant from the analytical laboratory. Although washing with detergents or weak acids can remove contamination, there will remain some doubt as to the efficiency of the washing procedure. Samples which are to be used for sap tests immediately after collection for nitrate-nitrogen should be handled more carefully than those destined after drying for multi-element analysis at a remote laboratory. Ideally the respiratory loss of dry weight from samples should be minimised when the samples are destined for conventional multi-element analysis. Where certain aspects of sample handling are critical to the success of the test they should be emphasised to potential users. A wide range of plant tissues other than the commonly collected leaves and petioles has been used for assessment of mineral nutrient status, including juice, fruit, and shoot tips. Each of these presents different problems in sample collection handling and storage. Tests based on enzyme activity and other biochemical or physiological indicators probably present the most difficult sample handling problems, but these tests are not widely used. A number of sampling issues which arise from the author's experience with commercial tissue analysis services are raised. These include such matters as the extent of training of the personnel who do the sampling, contamination and transport to the laboratory. Although more attention to these issues is needed in practice, plant tissue analysis continues to be a most valuable tool in the hands of the informed manager.

Effect of mineral nutrients and combined nitrogen sources in the medium on growth and nitrogen fixation of theazolla-anabaenaassociation

Abstract The effect of the mineral nutrient status and combined nitrogen sources in the medium on the growth and nitrogen fixation of Azolla japonica was investigated. The threshold concentrations of K, Mg, Ca, P, and S in the medium for growth were about 0.3, 0.3, 0.4, 0.08, and 0.08 ml, and those for the nitrogen-fixing capacity were about 0.07, 0.06, 1.0, 0.4, and 0.05 mM, respectively. Ammonium in the medium inhibited strongly both growth and nitrogen fixation. The total nitrogen budget, as a consequence of the balance between nitrogen inputs from the atmosphere and medium, was positive at concentrations of ammonium below 10 mM, whereas above this concentration, it was negative. Nitrate in the medium was less effective than ammonium. The addition of urea to the medium resulted in a substantial increase in the growth rate and nitrogen content although nitrogen fixation was appreciably reduced.

Nutrient status of bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum) following whole-tree harvesting in Upper Michigan

Mineral nutrient status and biomass production of bracken, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, fronds and rhizomes were quantified immediately following a whole-tree harvest in Upper Michigan. Multiple sampling occurred between full leaf expansion and senescence to monitor mineral translocation from the fronds to the rhizomes, as well as differences in bracken mineral content between harvested and unharvested control sites. Bracken rhizomes on the harvested site had significantly higher concentrations of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium than the control site. Frond biomass production was lower on the harvested site, while rhizome biomass production showed no differences between sites. Rhizome P contents were significantly higher on the harvested site. Translocation of mineral elements from the fronds to the rhizomes during senescence was monitored. Nitrogen, P, and K were readily translocated, while Mg and calcium were not. The larger amounts of nutrients present in the rhizomes on the harvested site suggest increased nutrient uptake and, therefore, nutrient conservation by bracken may occur on a harvested site.

Growth and Mineral Nutrient Status of Containerized Woody Species in Media Amended with Spent Mushroom Compost

`Eight deciduous ornamental shrubs-deutzia (Deutzia gracilis Siebold & Zucc.), dogwood (Cornus alba L. `Argenteo-marginata'), forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia Zab. `Lynwood Gold'), ninebark [Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.], potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa L. `Red Ace'), privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.), rose (Rosa L. `John Frank. lin'), and weigela [Weigela florida (Bunge) A. DC. `Variegata Nana']—were grown in trickle-irrigated containers with 100% bark (control) or with bark and 33%, 67%, and 100% (by volume) of each of three sources of spent mushroom compost (unweathered, weathered, and unweathered compost leached with water). Despite large variation in species growth response to sources and levels of compost, most grew equally well or better in the compost-amended regimes than in 100% bark and were influenced little, or not at all, by initial or prevailing salt levels in the media. Shoot and root dry weight of dogwood, forsythia, ninebark, rose, and weigela (all sources), and shoot dry weight of deutzia and potentilla (weathered source only), increased linearly or curvilinearly with increasing compost levels. The reverse relationship occurred (all sources) in shoot and root dry weight of privet and root dry weight of weigela and potentilla. Leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn) tended to increase with increasing compost levels, but not all species showed this response with all nutrients. Regardless of compost source or level, all shrubs were of marketable quality when harvested, except privet, which showed leaf chlorosis in all compost-amended regimes.

Influence of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Leaf Age on Net Gas Exchange of Citrus Leaves

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi affect net assimilation of CO(2) (A) of different-aged citrus leaves independent of mineral nutrition effects of mycorrhizae. Citrus aurantium L., sour orange plants were grown for 6 months in a sandy soil low in phosphorus that was either infested with the VAM fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, or fertilized with additional phosphorus and left nonmycorrhizal (NM). Net CO(2) assimilation, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and mineral nutrient status for expanding, recently expanded, and mature leaves were evaluated as well as plant size and relative growth rate of leaves. Nutrient status and net gas exchange varied with leaf age. G. intraradices-inoculated plants had well-established colonization (79% of root length) and were comparable in relative growth rate and size at final harvest with NM plants. Leaf mineral concentrations were generally the same for VAM and NM plants except for nitrogen. Although leaf nitrogen was apparently sufficient for high rates of A, VAM plants did have higher nitrogen concentrations than NM at the time of gas exchange measurements. G. intraradices had no effect on A, stomatal conductance, or water use efficiency, irrespective of leaf age. These results show that well-established VAM colonization does not affect net gas exchange of citrus plants that are comparable in size, growth rate, and nutritional status with NM plants.

Suppression of damping-off caused by Pythium spp in soil from the indigenous mexican chinampa agricultural system

Soil from the traditional chinampa agroecosystem in the Valley of Mexico was compared to soil from a nearby modem agroecosystem in Chapingo. Several soil physical, chemical and biological features were monitored during an 8-month study. Damping-off caused by natural populations of Pythium spp was less in soils from the chinampa system than in soils under the modern system of cultivation. Disease caused by introduced inoculum of P. aphanidermatum was also suppressed in the chinampa agriculture soil. Biological factors associated with disease suppression in the traditional system were an increased amount of biological activity (measured by soil dehydrogenase activity), reduced rate of germination of P. aphanidermatum oospores, and elevated populations of Pseudomonas spp and saprophytic Fusarium spp. Physicochemical factors associated with suppression included lower pH values, and higher organic matter, Ca, K and Mg contents. Dynamic biological processes in the traditional agroecosystem may be responsible for the suppression of the pathogen, P. aphanidermatum, through increased biological activity brought about by the high content of organic matter and elevated mineral nutrient status of the soils.

The influence of stock plant fertilization on tissue concentrations of N, P and carbohydrates and the rooting of Prosopis alba cuttings

Clonal propagation techniques are required for Proposis due to great variability in biomass productivity, pod productivity, and nitrogen fixation from seed propagated stock. Previous studies identified a decline in the rooting percentage of cuttings taken from stock plants that were grown in the growth chamber and harvested every four weeks. To determine the influence of the mineral nutrient status of the stock plants on the rooting of cuttings, fertilized and nonfertilized Prosopis alba clone B 2 V 50 stock plants were established under 1000 W metal halide lamps in the greenhouse. A complete macro- and micronutrient solution was used. The regrowth was harvested after 4, 8, 12, 16, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and total available carbohydrate evaluation ( N=79). The mean rooting percentage for the five harvest cycles was 58% for the fertilized stock plants, and 44% for the nonfertilized stock plants ( P=0.087). There was no significant correlation between rooting percentage and leaf carbohydrate ( P=0.964), stem carbohydrate ( P=0.876) and leaf plus stem phosphorus ( P=0.319). The nonsignificant correlation between percent rooting and carbohydrates was negative ( r=−0.018). However, there was a significant correlation with stem nitrogen and percent rooting ( P=0.009) and an inverse correlation between stem nitrogen and leaf carbohydrate content ( r−0.353, P=0.001). This suggests that unbalanced fertilizers, rich in nitrogen and low in P, K, and other nutrients, might stimulate stem N and be successful in maintaining high rooting percentage from stock plants.

The composition and structure of deciduous woods in County Down, Northern Ireland

The results of an ecological survey of deciduous woods in County Down, Ireland, are presented. Variation in the composition of the ground flora, canopy composition and structure, and patterns of tree regeneration was related to environmental gradients of soil mineral nutrient status, the intensity of grazing and the degree of soil water-logging. The effects of the dominant species of the tree canopy on the ground flora were shown to be secondary. Woodland clearance has occurred mainly at low elevation sites with changes in land use to either coniferous plantation or agricultural land. The woods are very different in character from native Irish Blechno-Quercetum and Corylo-Fraxinetum but are closely related to mixed deciduous woods which have previously been described in England and Scotland. The introduced trees, Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus, have naturalised and their regeneration patterns at different sites are related to edaphic factors. The regeneration status of the current canopy dominants and associated trees, however, suggests that other changes in canopy composition will take place if the woods are not managed further. Replacement of Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica by Fraxinus excelsior and Acer pseudoplatanus is predicted, particularly at higher elevation sites.

Vegetation and soils of seminatural deciduous woods in northeast Ireland

Seminatural deciduous woods associated mainly with basaltic escarpments were surveyed in northeast Ireland to investigate the relationships between soil physical and chemical characteristics and community composition. Gradients of floristic composition in the sample stands pointed to soil acidity, soil mineral nutrient status and the degree of soil waterlogging as principal factors influencing the ground flora.

Mineral Nutrient Status of Crabapple and Pear Shoots Cultured in Vitro on Varying Concentrations of Three Commercial Agars

Abstract Shoot tips of ‘Almey’ crabapple [Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. × M. pumila var. Niedzwetzkyana (Dieck) Schneid.] and ‘Seckel’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 8.8 µm BA. Media were solidified with either Bacto-agar, Phytagar, or TC agar at concentrations varying from 0.3% to 1.2%. Explant nutrient levels were influenced both by agar brand and concentration. The trends in nutrient composition, although not identical, tended to be similar for both genera. Increasing agar concentrations resulted in increased P, Fe, Zn, and Al in the explant and reduced Ca, Mg, and Mn levels. Although striking variations in many elements occur both in agar brands and in explants cultured on media containing similar concentrations of different agar brands, variations in shoot proliferation and growth of explants cannot be explained on the basis of variations in individual elements. From the nutritional standpoint, the alterations in the elemental composition of the basal medium by the addition of specific agars best explain variations induced by different agar brands. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (BA).

Mineral nutrition of sawgrass ( Cladium jamaicense Crantz) in relation to nutrient supply

Sawgrass ( Cladium jamaicense Crantz) seedlings were subjected to enrichment in a greenhouse both as a means of calibrating the mineral-nutrient status of plants in the field and estimating their response to nutrient enrichment. Available soil nutrients partially predicted seedling response to fertilization. Seedlings responded to sulfur, potassium, and phosphorus (P) fertilization. Small additions of P produced significant increases in dry weight, shoot length, and vegetative reproduction of new plants. Seedling growth response was highly determined by tissue-P levels. Tissue concentrations of P in shoots and roots increased with increasing external concentrations. High levels of P inhibited dry-matter production, shoot elongation, and shoot production. This indicates a potential for adverse consequences resulting from artificial enrichment of Everglades sawgrass marshes. Critical P concentration in seedlings was 0.07%, a value higher than that in sawgrass plants in the field. Experimentally determined critical nutrient levels do not appear to be adequate for diagnosing the nutrient status of plants in the field, unless plants or plant parts of similar maturity are compared.

Alfalfa,Medicago sativa L., establishment in mine mill tailings

Alfalfa plant excavations were made in iron tailings and natural soil as a means to observe their root development between two contrasting substrates. In tailings, alfalfa roots concentrated heavily in strata of clay layers. In coarse-textured tailings without clay layers, roots concentrated more at the surface with few roots penetrating deep into the tailings. Similar root morphology was observed in natural soil excavations. Roots And N-fixing nodules were concentrated in fine-textured soil layers having better moisture-holding capaclity and mineral nutrient status than the coarser materials. Regardless of the kind of growing medium, tailingsvs natural soils, roots concentrated where the growing environment is most favourable.

Mineral Nutrient Status of ‘Convexa’ Holly Cuttings during Intermittent Mist Propagation as Influenced by Exogenous Auxin Application

Abstract Hardwood stem cuttings of Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Convexa’, treated with and without indolebutyric acid (IBA), were inserted into a perlite rooting medium and misted with deionized water during intermittent mist propagation in a controlled-environment chamber. Initially, and at weekly intervals for 6 weeks, leaves, upper stems (portion of stem above rooting medium), and lower stems (portion of stem in rooting medium) were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. At the conclusion of the study, both nontreated and IBA-treated cuttings showed a slight increase in dry weight with detectable but slight leaching of N and K and no detectable leaching of P, Ca, and Mg. Mineral nutrient mobilization to the lower stem was not detected during root initiation for nontreated and IBA-treated cuttings. Following root initiation and later budbreak on the upper stem, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were all mobililized from the leaves of nontreated and IBA-treated cuttings to the upper stem, whereas only N, P, and K were mobilized to the lower stem of IBA-treated cuttings. For nontreated cuttings, all nutrients were mobilized from the lower stem to the upper stem, while for IBA-treated cuttings only Ca and Mg were mobilized from the lower stem to the upper stem. Root development as influenced by IBA treatment and budbreak on the upper stem had a strong influence on mineral nutrient mobilization.

Mineral nutrition and leaf longevity in an evergreen shrub, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens.

Effects of variable mineral nutrient status on evergreen leaf longevity were investigated in a field fertilization experiment, and by comparison of plants from several sites. The species studied was Ledum palustre spp. decumbens, with a normal leaf life expectancy of 2.06 years and a maximum leaf longevity of 4.5-5.0 years. Most leaf losses took place during the growing season, not during the winter. Fertilization increased leaf production but decreased leaf survivorship. Total number of leaves per stem was unchanged with fertilization. In a comparison among sites, there was a moderate negative correlation between plant N and P concentrations and leaf longevity. These intraspecific responses are similar to known interspecific changes along nutrient gradients, i.e. with high nutrient availability a vegetation should become more "deciduous" and less "evergreen".